A Kentucky-based tourist, who was reported missing after she failed to return to her cruise ship in Alaska, has been found deceased. The 62-year-old woman, Marites Buenafe, was on a visit to Alaska’s capital city when she disappeared following a hiking trip.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety confirmed that Buenafe’s body was discovered late Thursday by a helicopter crew from the Alaska Army National Guard. The location was below the ridge line of Gold Ridge. Buenafe was a practicing doctor at UK HealthCare, a network of hospitals and clinics affiliated with the University of Kentucky.
The recovery of Buenafe’s body was a joint effort by state troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue, Temsco Helicopters, and the National Guard. The family of the deceased has been informed about the tragic incident. Her body is set to be sent to the state’s medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
On July 1, Buenafe’s relatives had contacted the Juneau Police Department, informing them that she had embarked on a hike that morning. Her plan was to take a popular tourist tram partway up a mountain overlooking downtown Juneau, then proceed on foot to Gastineau Peak and Gold Ridge. She had disembarked from the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship and failed to return before its scheduled departure.
A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line expressed their condolences in a statement to Fox News Digital. The spokesperson said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the guest,” and added that their CARE team is providing support to the family during this difficult time.